[2023] Wild Discussion Showing 1,401-1,450 of 4,060

[dalex]

Re the library question -

I’m on the board at one local library so I’m there two or three times a week.

I have five library cards for local libraries. I live in a very rural area so where I live, work, shop, etc. are all different towns.

I have nine library cards on my Libby, mostly from the larger cities in the state where I live.

I even own an art print by a local artist of the library I basically lived at when I was a child.

So, yes, I’m a major library geek!

[Laurel]

Irene wrote: "Laurel wrote: "I like the debut author idea.

I would vote against the purchased at an indie/local bookstore because that has an undercurrent of privilege I don't like - not everyone can afford to ..."

I love libraries - I currently have about a dozen books on hold in paper and 2 on Libby and usually have 5-10 checked out.

However, I know there are places that are without libraries. I know of at least two towns in my state that have closed their local library and people have to drive for miles to access one, which is a luxury some can't afford.

The original wording I saw of the prompt didn't seem to include things like borrowing from a friend.

[Irene]

Laurel, I tried to list a variety of different but similar prompts including a book not from Amazon, which was meant to include libraries. Either way, I'm not going to suggest it so no worries about that coming up!

@NancyJ I love the Libby app and use it a lot to borrow ebooks occasionally (I usually have 1-2 checked out at a time). I only have one library card but it's enough for me since I also read a lot of physical books and have Kindle Unlimited as well. I haven't been to a physical library since I was in university, which wasn't for book-related reasons.

[T.]

Here's a few random ideas:

1. A book about/featuring a warrior, soldier or spy.

2. A book with a day of the week in the title.

3. A book recommended by your dentist, attorney, or other professional (i.e. real estate agent, plumber, gardener, etc.).

[Tracy]

All interesting ideas, but I would probably only upvote 2. Days of the week. I don’t enjoy war related stories (books or movies) much, and I don’t think I’ve ever talked books to any of the “professionals” in my life. You never get much time with doctors, and I don’t really want to start up a casual conversation with other pros I’m paying by the hour.

[NancyJ]

Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not removed from ..."

Ah, I noticed that sometimes if I don't stop the audiobook, it will keep playing beyond the time it was due back. I figured it was just because the next person didn't pick it up yet. It now occurs to me that it could be a problem with my router (I lose my connection a lot on my laptop.) I probably wasn't connected to the internet, but didn't realize it!

I'll have to remember to use the airplane mode more often to conserve my batteries (and maybe get a little more time with a book too).

When I think I'm going to need more time for a long book, I use my husband's library card to put a hold on the book too. If he's after me in line, I have a little bit of a time cushion. It started when we were reading the same book.

I have way too many books on hold now though, with all the new releases coming out. I am 96th in line for Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow. Both our cards are maxed out on holds.

[NancyJ]

Nancy wrote: "I mainly use the library for ebooks and audio books, but do on occasion get print copies I can't get digitally. I have a paperback checked out from one library right now, and a graphic novel waitin..."

4 different libraries?! We're learning all your tricks today! I once had library privileges at 3 colleges. That gave me access to amazing non-fiction resources, but not as much fiction. I didn't have time to read for pleasure then anyway.

[NancyJ]

Bec wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'm definitely not one of those people who has to hold a paper book. You can pry my Kindle from my cold, dead hands. It fits in my purse. I can read when I wake up at 3am and can't go..."

I hear you Bec. I'm clutching my phone at 3am to listen to an audiobook without waking my husband. Paperback books are not a good option for me either. The font size is usually too small. When I get a migraine my vision is affected for days (even after the pain is gone), and I can barely read a large print book or a large font on an ebook.

[Shannon SA]

Bec wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm Canadian, and I have literally no idea what the Harlem Renaissance is, so I would imagine it wouldn't necessarily be obvious to others who might not read the threads either."

I'..."
I'm South African, and don't know about this either. Need to read up on it on Google :)

[Shannon SA]

T. wrote: "Here's a few random ideas:

1. A book about/featuring a warrior, soldier or spy.

2. A book with a day of the week in the title.

3. A book recommended by your dentist, attorney, or other professio..."

I like WW1 and WW2 stories, so would vote for (1), I wouldn't vote for (2) - too narrow? or (3) - I don't know/have any of those LOL

[T.]

I threw in the professional recommendation because recently my dentist--who talks nonstop while her hands are busy in my mouth--recommended book to me. It was maybe a little weird, but it turned out I loved the book. Not sure I'd want to try for another rec though. Haha!

I also thought the warrior/soldier one works well for a lot of fantasy and sci-fi, which I read a lot. But it's also open to a lot more. WW1 and WW2, of course. Even non-fiction, memoirs, biographies.

[NancyJ]

Juliet Brown wrote: "How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time"

I think it could be fascinating. It was such an amazing time for black writers and musicians. It would be nice to focus on a piece of black history that wasn't only about racism. I don't think that most Americans even know much about it, much less the rest of the world. My dad loved jazz, and we lived close to the city, so I knew about the music and the glamour. But I knew nothing about the writers until I learned about Zora Neale Hurston a few years ago. And I still had to google it. [I would read one of her books for this prompt, or the book about her and Langston Hughes (a poet) that I saw today.]

We could read one of the books *by* the writers associated with the Harlem Renaissance, or books *about* the people and the movement (including jazz), or novels set during this time in Harlem. (1920's -1930's I think.) Or related topics such as

A) Black contributions to music, literature and culture, then and now. (from Billie Holliday to Beyonce, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, Oprah, Prince, etc.)

B) The jazz age (which was mentioned earlier this summer), in New York, Paris, Chicago, etc. There are a lot of books set in this time period, about singers and regular people, white and black. I think Rules of Civility might fit the time period, showing young white people flocking to the clubs in Harlem.

This is a start.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Ellie]

T. wrote: "I threw in the professional recommendation because recently my dentist--who talks nonstop while her hands are busy in my mouth--recommended book to me. It was maybe a little weird, but it turned ou..."

I think it would be hard for a lot of people. We don't use a lot of professional services in general. We only get a plumber in once a year because it's a legal requirement for gas appliances and he has never once said anything about books, despite them being all over the house. And the poor NHS staff barely have time to deal with medical problems let alone chitchat about books.

[NancyJ]

Shannon wrote: "Bec wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm Canadian, and I have literally no idea what the Harlem Renaissance is, so I would imagine it wouldn't necessarily be obvious to others who might not read the threads ..."

I knew a little, but I had to google it too, and I'm an American who once lived near New York City (and Harlem). It was so much cooler than I knew. The Jazz age and the roaring twenties might be more familiar to many people.

[Shannon SA]

NancyJ wrote: "Juliet Brown wrote: "How about ‘A book related to the Harlem Renaissance’? It could be something written as part of that movement, a nonfiction or a novel set in Harlem at that time"

I think it co..."

Thank you for this info, NancyJ, this does sound like an interesting time in history to learn more about. I would vote for this. I have read Rules of Civility, but will now put it down for a re-read.

[LeahS]

I like the Harlem Renaissance idea; it's easy to find out about it online if you're not familiar with the era.

I quite like the soldier/spy idea - would a prompt based on Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy work? For people who don't want to read about war or espionage that could involve the fashion industry or for 'Tinker' anyone who travelled for a living such a salesperson.

I would downvote the 'Recommended by a professional' prompt, but it could be widened to 'Book recommended in conversation' which could include family member, friend, colleague - or if you include on line conversation, book recommended here.

[Shannon SA]

I like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy :)

[Nadine in NY]

T. wrote: "Here's a few random ideas:

1. A book about/featuring a warrior, soldier or spy.

..."



I like reading spy novels so I would vote YES to this! Or we could change it to "featuring a tinker, tailor, soldier, or spy" (referencing the classic spy novel), that might be eye-catching. I'm not sure how to handle "tinker" though - treat it as a mechanic? a repairperson? a traveling worker like a nurse, cowboy, or farmhand?



ETA: LOL I didn't even see your comment, Leah, when I posted this!! GREAT MINDS :-)

[Pam]

It’s great to see so many ideas being generated! I like the Harlem idea a lot but it would need to worded fairly broadly for me. It’s one that requires some research but there should be some great options. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy also works for me. I wouldn’t vote for recommendation from a professional, though, unless it includes podcasters.

[Lindsey]

Nancy wrote: "I'm definitely not one of those people who has to hold a paper book. You can pry my Kindle from my cold, dead hands. It fits in my purse. I can read when I wake up at 3am and can't go back to sleep..."

Same! I love my Kindle/Kindle app on my phone and iPad. I borrow a lot of ebooks from our library through Overdrive/Libby, and my library system is honestly so fantastic. It's one of the things I like best about where I live. They don't charge you to get physical books from other branches, nor do they charge late fees, which is wonderful for many reasons. Between the library, BOTM, and Kindle Unlimited, I have more books than I could ever possibly read. (And my friend who works at the library is the one who told me about the airplane mode trick. Even the librarians do it! Lol)

[Lindsey]

T. wrote: "Here's a few random ideas:

1. A book about/featuring a warrior, soldier or spy.

2. A book with a day of the week in the title.

3. A book recommended by your dentist, attorney, or other professio..."

I like warrior, solider, or spy. I think we had a military member/veteran prompt that didn't get in last year or the year before, and I was disappointed. I'd say maybe add "veteran" as well?

I also like the idea of a book recommended to you by a friend/in conversation or maybe a book you see being read by a stranger? Could be someone you sit next to on a plane/train/bus, someone you see in a movie or on tv, etc. It would be hard for planners (me) but might get people reading something they didn't expect.

[Ellie]

I would instant upvote tinker, tailor, soldier or spy, I love a fun spin on a prompt and it gives an out for people who don't want to read anything military.

[Nancy]

I really am not a fan of a book you see someone reading in public/in a movie, etc. When I've had to do those prompts in the past they've been hard for many reasons - people reading on e-readers, it can be hard to see the cover, I've often already read the book (especially in TV/movies where they often read popular books), I don't like talking to people while they're reading (because I hate being interrupted while reading), etc.

Recommended in conversation is more doable, that way the book recommended by the dentist would work, as would a librarian or bookseller. I'd think anyone who is a reader talks to others about books and could get a recommendation. My sister-in-law and I are always suggesting books to each other, and I could even use one of the books I read for book club, as long as I don't pick the book. The only thing is it could be hard for the planners.

[°~Amy~°]

LeahS wrote: "I like the Harlem Renaissance idea; it's easy to find out about it online if you're not familiar with the era.

I quite like the soldier/spy idea - would a prompt based on Tinker, Tailor, Soldier,..."

I love Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy!

[Joy D]

Ellie wrote: "I would instant upvote tinker, tailor, soldier or spy, I love a fun spin on a prompt and it gives an out for people who don't want to read anything military."
I like it too.

[T.]

I like the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy idea as well. A lot more fun than my original suggestion.

Oh, and if anyone particularly likes any of my suggestions, please feel free to suggest it when the threads open. I nearly always miss the suggestion threads entirely, only logging in after all is said and done.

I like the Harlem suggestion too. I don't know a lot about it, but it would be fun to explore.

[Edie]

NancyJ wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not..."
My library lets you "freeze" your hold. If I have several books that look like they will get to me soon, I will freeze one or more of them until some future date. I keep my place in line and can unfreeze when I am ready for them. I love this feature!

[Samantha]

Jillian wrote: "Bec wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, i..."

I have the same thing happen all the time. There are times that I ask amazon to return a book and I ask the library to return it but it remains on my kindle for some reason.

I am seem to be on my e library's website at least once a day. I feel like I am always managing my holds. I almost exclusively get my books from them. I use two different library systems and haven't been to a physical location for a long time.

I love my kindle for the same reason mentioned above. My husband got me one when they first came out and I thought I would miss physical books but it is the opposite,

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not removed from ..."

I feel more that you are lent the book for a certain amount of time, that's the "contract" with library books and I'm circumventing it. I justify it with if it was a real book, I would be returning it late.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

NancyJ wrote: "I'll have to remember to use the airplane mode more often to conserve my batteries (and maybe get a little more time with a book too).

When I think I'm going to need more time for a long book, I use my husband's library card to put a hold on the book too. If he's after me in line, I have a little bit of a time cushion. It started when we were reading the same book."

My kindle battery can last for weeks when its on airplane mode. Main reason I use it!

I used to live in MA which give you access to all the state libraries- so there's 8(?) hold lists. Then my current town's, although their digital collection is nearly useless. And the town next door in RI lets you get a card and since that is the library that is walking distance for me, I have that one too although I use it mostly for IRL loans.

I will not admit to how much time I spent on the curating of my hold lists. Esp with the "deliver later" feature.

[Jillian]

Pamela wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Oh, the airplane mode trick is the bomb! I try to use it sparingly since not too ethical"

For what it's worth, the book is still returned to the library, it's just not..."

Though with ebooks the library pays for a book based on how many times it loans it out. With a print version the library only pays once no matter how many times it is loaned out. I don’t think the library should pay twice for me reading the book once.

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

Samantha wrote: "I am seem to be on my e library's website at least once a day. I feel like I am always managing my holds. I almost exclusively get my books from them. I use two different library systems and haven't been to a physical location for a long time...."

You're my soul sister! I get such joy out of managing my loans!

[NancyJ]

Lindsey wrote: "... I think we had a military member/veteran prompt that didn't get in last year or the year before, and I was disappointed. I'd say maybe add "veteran" as well?


I like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Lindsey, a veteran soldier absolutely fits this prompt already. "Once a marine, always a marine." For many soldiers, that identity doesn't leave them.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, John le Carre would be a good choice for anyone who likes spy thrillers.

[NancyJ]

Pamela wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I'll have to remember to use the airplane mode more often to conserve my batteries (and maybe get a little more time with a book too).

When I think I'm going to need more time for a..."

Me too! Several times a day sometimes. It was such a relief when they added the 'deliver later' feature. You never know when they'll become available.

My library system is very big so I can get books from any branch, but that means I can only have one hold list. (When my son moved away, I should have asked him for his library card.) Almost every book I suggest for purchase was accepted, except those that their vendor cannot get (which means books controlled by Amazon). One of my favorite authors is published by Lake Union, which is an Amazon publisher, so I read her on kindle unlimited.

[Samantha]

Pamela wrote: "Samantha wrote: "I am seem to be on my e library's website at least once a day. I feel like I am always managing my holds. I almost exclusively get my books from them. I use two different library s..."

It seems like we have a few soul sisters here! I too get a lot of joy from managing my loans just right.

I like to read in order for the challenge and the deliver later feature has made it so much easier.

I love reading about how much people love their library's and how they utilize them.

[Samantha]

T. wrote: "Here's a few random ideas:

1. A book about/featuring a warrior, soldier or spy.

2. A book with a day of the week in the title.

3. A book recommended by your dentist, attorney, or other professio..."

I like A book about/featuring a warrior, soldier or spy, its different. It seems like there there are way to interpret it that could make it fun. The first thing I thought of for spy was Harriet the Spy

The updated - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy might be a little more broad and have wider appeal.

[RachelG.]

I also like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy idea. I hope someone suggests it.

[Joyce]

I’m absolutely a library fan, though I envy my American sisters for seemingly being able to order books without charge. I remember when that was the norm here in the UK. I think my love of libraries stems from childhood when the fortnightly appearance of the mobile library in my small village was a lifeline.

My new favourite source for ebooks though is https://archive.org but it probably helps that I’m not usually looking for brand new publications.

[Michelle]

My mind was wandering on my way to work yesterday and I came up with:

A book about/related to something “Under The Sea”
- sea animals, sand, shells, submarines, buried treasure, mermaids, shipwrecks, The Titanic…

A book including a Queen
- real life Queens, fairytales, fantasy queens, drag queens, Queen Latifah….

[Deborah]

Michelle wrote: "My mind was wandering on my way to work yesterday and I came up with:

A book about/related to something “Under The Sea”
- sea animals, sand, shells, submarines, buried treasure, mermaids, shipwrec..."

I like both of your ideas.

[Juliet]

we already have 'Body of Water in the Title' voted in, that might make 'Under the Sea' a really hard sell

[NancyJ]

For the next poll, I plan to suggest:
Read an author's debut novel or
Read an author's debut book

-------------
I have a few others on the back burner, including:
"On the road" and "Fish out of water." They could go different ways depending on what gets in first. I hope Travel related prompts will be suggested soon.

If you know of any books that would fit these, can you let me know? I'll eventually make listopias. Fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, short stories, possibly travelogues.
1. On the road - About a character who is living "on the road" for some reason - for work, travel, homelessness, gap year, retirement, living a nomadic life. It might also be due to a personal or emotional crisis, a breakup, to escape a bad situation (or the law), running away from home, trying to find themselves, etc. It might be a job that requires a lot of travel - musicians, comedians, sales, consulting, traveling health care workers (who spend days, weeks or even months in a new location). I think I've seen more movies that fit this than books. I most recently read People we Keep (a homeless singer travels from gig-to-gig). Into the Wild is a favorite (esp before he gets to Alaska). I'm holding this for later. If a real travel prompt gets in first, I can write this differently.

2. "Fish out of water." Stories about culture clash or adjustment, in which a person is dealing with people with different values, norms, culture, expectations. The person feels like (or seems to others to be) a "fish out of water" - due to Immigration, a new job/career, a new school, marrying into a family very different from your own, or a first contact experience with a new culture or aliens from another planet. (I felt strong culture shock once when I left a job in a liberal university to work for a conservative small-town manufacturing company - in an election year.)

[Roxana]

NancyJ wrote: "For the next poll, I plan to suggest:
Read an author's debut novel or
Read an author's debut book

-------------
I have a few others on the back burner, including:
"On the road" and "Fish out of..."

I'll be honest, my immediate first thought for "Fish out of water" was Skin of the Sea, which involves a mermaid spending time on land 😅

[NancyJ]

Roxana wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "For the next poll, I plan to suggest:
Read an author's debut novel or
Read an author's debut book

-------------
I have a few others on the back burner, including:
"On the road" a..."

LOL. But hey, I think that might work. It would require a huge adjustment for her. The Deep had some of that too.

[Kahlia]

On the road - About a character who is living "on the road" for some reason

I like this one, though I'd potentially be more interested if it wasn't limited to people "living" on the road, but also holiday road trips etc. Maybe just "a book in which a character is 'on the road'"

[Pamela, Arciform Mod]

RachelG. wrote: "I also like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy idea. I hope someone suggests it."

Works for me cause I have a huge stack of fashion and military books to read! Course, the book I'm currently reading just went through a section about how male tailors in the 17th century banded together to pretty much force women out of the field, allowing them only legal permission to drape skirts. Boo, tailors!

[Joy D]

I like and would vote for "on the road" and also "a debut book" (please leave non-fiction as an option for those few of us who read it)

[NancyJ]

Thanks Joy. Debut was one of the first tags I remember in PBT and it was a big hit.

For tomorrow:
Read a debut book.
Or Read an author's debut novel or book.*
Fiction or Non-fiction.

*I would like this to count a debut novel by an author who previously wrote a non-fiction book. It doesn't happen often, but Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is on nearly every debut list. She co-wrote non-fiction books decades ago. Does this wording work?

I took off the date restriction by request (some already own books that fit). A BIO version could be - read a debut published after 2020.

Brand new and about-to-drop debuts -July 29 blog:
https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...

Most popular debut books:
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/debu...

There is also at least one award given for first time authors, and those lists of winners/nominees would be fun to look at.

[NancyJ]

Pamela wrote: "RachelG. wrote: "I also like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy idea. I hope someone suggests it."

Works for me cause I have a huge stack of fashion and military books to read! Course, the book I'm curr..."

That reminds me of:
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. We shouldn't let sexism screen out books about seamstresses, right?

[Ellie]

NancyJ wrote: "Read a debut book.
Or Read an author's debut novel or book.*
Fiction or Non-fiction..."

I much prefer concisely worded prompts. If you read non-fiction you don't need to be reminded that it counts for a prompt. A debut book or a book by a debut author works fine for fiction, non-fiction and poetry.